Effects of salt stress on volatile compounds, total phenolic content and antioxidant activities of Salvia mirzayanii

AbstractSalvia mirzayanii is a medicinal and aromatic plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family, which is an endemic plant in Iran. In this study, the effects of different salt concentrations on total phenolic content, antioxidant activities and volatile components of the aerial parts of S. mirzayanii were studied. The results showed that total phenolic content increased with the increase in salt concentration. The increase was more pronounced under moderate salinity (3.8mg GAEg−1 DW at 6.8dSm−1 NaCl). Plants grown at 6.8dSm−1 NaCl displayed the highest DPPH˚ scavenging activity with the lowest IC50 value (2.13mgml−1) compared to the control. The volatile components were identified and analyzed by HS (headspace)-GC–MS using the Combi PAL System technique. The main components of control plants were α-terpinyl acetate, 1,8-cineole and bicyclogermacrene. The proportions of these main compounds were differently affected by salinity stress. The results showed that the synthesis of both total phenolic and some important volatile components was induced by moderate salinity

A possible role for the merger of clusters/voids in the cosmological expansion

In this study, we use the merger process of clusters/voids in the role of variable dark energy fluid to alleviate the Hubble tension, which can lead to a balance in the cosmological expansion rate. To reach this target, we will introduce a modified form of energy density for cosmic fluid with the quadratic equation of state, and then we obtain Hubble, deceleration parameters, and luminosity distance for this fluid. To obtain the merger factor and other parameters of our model, we utilize the NONLINEARMODELFIT function within MATHEMATICA. By consideration of the local and global measurements of $\rm H_0$, and the equation of state parameter $w$ as the priory values and fitting our model with Observational Hubble Data (OHD) measurements, we will show that the merger of clusters/voids plays the role of balancing the cosmic expansion rate. Also, it will be shown that the model is more compatible than $w$CDM with the standard model to describe the accelerating universe.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, 3 tables, According to the version accepted in MNRA

Plant glutathione S-transferase classification, structure and evolution

Glutathione S-transferases are multifunctional proteins involved in diverse intracellular events such as primary and secondary metabolisms, stress metabolism, herbicide detoxification and plant protection against ozone damages, heavy metals and xenobiotics. The plant glutathione S-transferase superfamily have been subdivided into eight classes. Phi, tau, zeta, theta, lambda, dehydroascorbate reductase and tetrachlorohydroquinone dehalogenase classes are soluble and one class is microsomal. Glutathione S-transferases are mostly soluble cytoplasmic enzymes. To date, the crystal structures of over 200 soluble glutathione S-transferases, present in plants, animals and bacteria have been resolved. The structures of glutathione S-transferase influence its function. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that all soluble glutathione S-transferases have arisen from an ancient progenitor gene, through both convergent and divergent pathways.Key words: Glutathione S-transferases (GST), classification, structure, evolution, phylogenetic analysis, xenobiotics

Friedmann-like equations for High Energy Area of Universe

In this paper, evolution of the high energy area of universe, through the scenario of 5 dimensional (5D) universe, has been studied. For this purpose, we solve Einstein equations for 5D metric and 5D perfect fuid to derive Friedmann-like equations. Then we obtain the evolution of scale factor and energy density with respect to both space-like and time-like extra dimensions. We obtain the novel equations for the space-like extra dimension and show that the matter with zero pressure cannot exist in the bulk. Also, for dark energy fuid and vacuum fluid, we have both accelerated expansion and contraction in the bulk.Comment: 9 pages, Accepted to publication in IJTP 26 June 2012. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1202.497

Power Spectrum in Krein Space Quantization

The power spectrum of scalar field and space-time metric perturbations produced in the process of inflation of universe, have been presented in this paper by an alternative approach to field quantization namely, Krein space quantization [1,2]. Auxiliary negative norm states, the modes of which do not interact with the physical world, have been utilized in this method. Presence of negative norm states play the role of an automatic renormalization device for the theory.Comment: 8 pages, appear in Int. J. Theor. Phy

The Study of Newborns with Congenital Gastrointestinal Tract Obstruction

Introduction: Gastrointestinal Tract Obstruction (GITO) is one of the most common causes of surgical emergencies in newborns. Management of these patients depends on the site of obstruction, associated anomalies, the time of diagnosis and the surgery. Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical manifestations, associated anomalies and the outcome of these patients with GITO admitted to Imam Reza and Razi Hospitals of Kermanshah. Material and Methods: This is an observational study, which is conducted to investigate all the newborns, admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Imam Reza & Razi Hospital of Kermanshah during ten years from 2002 to 2012 with diagnosis of GITO. The history of the newborn, operation records and case records of the patients in addition to clinical and paraclinical conditions and their pathological results were studied. Results: During the study period, 235 cases of GITO were investigated. Among them, 63 were admitted with imperforate anus, 62 with Hirschsprung's disease, 52 with esophageal atresia, 9 with ileal atresia, 17 with jejunal atresia, and 16 with duodenal obstruction and 6 with colonic atresia. The most common symptoms at the time of admission were abdominal distension in 108, absence of meconial defecation in 85, and bile vomiting in 42 cases. 189 (80.4%) of newborns were operated. The overall mortality rate of newborns under study was 31.2%. The highest rate of mortality was observed in newborns with esophageal atresia 61.5%. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that approximately 5% of the cases admitted to NICU suffered from congenital GITO. Considering the high number of cases and the increased probability of death in these patients, close attention, better management and treatment of these patients seems crucial

Machine learning-based predictive modeling of resilience to stressors in pregnant women during COVID-19: A prospective cohort study

During the COVID-19 pandemic, pregnant women have been at high risk for psychological distress. Lifestyle factors may be modifiable elements to help reduce and promote resilience to prenatal stress. We used Machine-Learning (ML) algorithms applied to questionnaire data obtained from an international cohort of 804 pregnant women to determine whether physical activity and diet were resilience factors against prenatal stress, and whether stress levels were in turn predictive of sleep classes. A support vector machine accurately classified perceived stress levels in pregnant women based on physical activity behaviours and dietary behaviours. In turn, we classified hours of sleep based on perceived stress levels. This research adds to a developing consensus concerning physical activity and diet, and the association with prenatal stress and sleep in pregnant women. Predictive modeling using ML approaches may be used as a screening tool and to promote positive health behaviours for pregnant women

Prenatal and postpartum maternal mental health and neonatal motor outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Rates of prenatal and postpartum stress and depression in pregnant individuals have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Perinatal maternal mental health has been linked to worse motor development in offspring, with motor deficits appearing in infancy and early childhood. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between prenatal and postpartum stress and depression and motor outcome in infants born during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: One hundred and seventeen participants completed an online prospective survey study at two timepoints: during pregnancy and within 2 months postpartum. Depression was self-reported using the Edinburgh Perinatal/Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), and stress via the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Mothers reported total infant motor ability (fine and gross) using the interRAI 0–3 Developmental Domains questionnaire. Results: Prenatal (EPDS median=10.0, interquartile range[IQR]=6.0 – 14.0, B=-0.035, 95%CI=-0.062 to -0.007, p = 0.014) and postpartum maternal depression outcomes (median=7, IQR=4–12, B=-0.037, 95%CI= -0.066 to -0.008, p = 0.012) were significantlynegatively associated with total infant motor ability. Neither pregnancy nor postpartum perceived stress was associated with infant motor function. A cluster analysis revealed that preterm and low-birth weight infants whose mothers reported elevated depressive symptoms during pregnancy and in the postpartum period had the poorest motor outcomes. Conclusions: Prenatal and postpartum depression, but not stress, was associated with early infant motor abilities. Preterm and low-birth weight infants whose mothers reported elevated depressive symptoms maybe at-risk of experiencing poor motor outcomes. These results highlight the importance of identifying pre- and postnatal maternal mental health issues, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic